The Firebird

Edmund Dulac (1882–1953) was a French-British illustrator and a pivotal figure of the Golden Age of Illustration, a period from the 1880s to the 1920s that witnessed the rise of lavish gift books and opulent art editions thanks to innovations in color reproduction. Renowned for his intricate, atmospheric style—rich in orientalist themes, jewel-toned palettes, and flowing, sinuous lines—Dulac transformed fairy tales and legends into immersive visual experiences, setting a high standard for early 20th-century illustration.

Unlike today’s Disney “new look,” often characterized as bland, simplified, and mass-oriented, Dulac’s work is a celebration of ornate composition, layered texture, and haunting romanticism. Rather than flattening detail for mass appeal, his illustrations build narrative depth through elaborate patternwork, restrained but powerful color, and a distinctive, expressive finesse.

The illustration provided is from "Edmund Dulac’s Fairy Book: Fairy Tales of the Allied Nations" (1916), where Dulac retold and depicted classic stories, including the Russian fairy tale featuring a prince pursuing the "The Firebird," as shown here. This book was published as a deluxe art edition, featuring sumptuous tipped-in color plates and reflecting the luxurious production and creative ambition of its era